Officers were called to Valley View in Brownhills, Walsall, where the 54-year-old was found with stab wounds.

West Midlands Police have said he is now in a serious but stable condition in hospital after previously being in a critical condition.

Officers have not yet spoken to Billingham as he is under sedation.

The force added that a post-mortem examination had taken place and they are awaiting the results.

After the eight-year-old’s death, Andy Nicholls, headmaster of St James Primary School where Mylee attended, said in a statement: “What can I say, we’re all numb, we’re all in shock. Everyone at the school is completely devastated.

“Mylee was dearly loved by us all, her smile lit up the room, in fact, it never left her face. She was a fun-loving, happy eight-year-old who had her whole life in front of her.